"Killing Jews" ad approved by NY judge is sponsored by pro-Israel group

A district judge just ruled that ads posted on New York City buses and subways reading, “Killing Jews is worship that draws us close to Allah,” are acceptable under First Amendment protections.
If you were outraged by the judge’s decision, you are not alone. I, too, raised my eyebrows when I saw the headline — until I read further, to the part saying the ads are meant as PARODY aimed at Muslims, sponsored by the pro-Israel pro-Jews group, American Freedom Defense Initiative (AFDI).
Michael F. Haverluck reports for OneNewsNow, April 25, 2015, that next to AFDI’s ad’s statement, “Killing Jews is worship that draws us close to Allah,” is the image of a young man in a checkered headscarf with the words, “That’s His Jihad. What’s yours?”
Ironic and confusing to many, the ads were created by the pro-Israel group,American Freedom Defense Initiative(AFDI), intended to counter and mock ads launched in 2012 and 2013 by CAIR (Council on American-Islamic Relations), which ran in several cities across the United States to promote so-called “peaceful” versions of Islam with the message, “#MyJihad is to build friendships across the aisle. What’s yours?” However, the CAIR ads did not run in New York City because of a disagreement between CAIR and the New York Metropolitan Transport Authority (MTA).
The AFDI proposed four “parody” ads to the MTA, which approved three, except the “Kill Jews” ad because MTA Security Director Raymond Diaz feared the ad would incite violence, especially toward Jews. Diaz explained that “What matters is not AFDI’s intent, but how the ad would be interpreted.” The ad could be read as a “call to violence” because the CAIR ads that it is mocking never ran in New York City.
So AFDI took their dispute with Diaz and the MTA to court.
Yesterday, April 28, 2015, United States District Judge John Koeltl ruled that he cannot stop the MTA from running the ads and threw out its arguments in AFDI’s favor, declaring that “the ads could not reasonably be considered an incitement to violence, even if someone didn’t understand them,” The Washington Post reports. Koeltl states in his ruling:

“The defendants [MTA] admit that the actual intention of the advertisement is not to advocate the use of force, but to parody the CAIR ‘My Jihad’ campaign and to criticize Hamas and radical Islam. However, they argue that a reasonable New Yorker would not read the advertisement this way, but would instead read it as advocating the killing of Jewish people … The defendants’ theory is thoroughly unpersuasive. [MTA officials] underestimate the tolerant quality of New Yorkers and overestimate the potential impact of these fleeting advertisements. Moreover, there is no evidence that seeing one of these advertisements on the back of a bus would be sufficient to trigger a violent reaction. Therefore, these ads — offensive as they may be — are still entitled to First Amendment protection.”

AFDI President and Co-founder Pamela Gellerwas pleased with the decision about her ad, which includes a disclaimer at the bottom, stating that it is “a paid advertisement sponsored by AFDI” and that it “does not imply MTA’s endorsement.” “This is a triumph for liberty and free speech,” Geller tweeted with the hashtags, “#freedom #victory #shariafail.”
Celebrating AFDI’s latest victory over the “Killing Jews” ad, Geller announced her plans to keep the message going, “With our NY win, our ads will make their debut on New York buses in the coming weeks. We want to run 100.”
Pamela Geller and AFDI will get no sympathy from me if the “Kill Jews” ads result in violence against either Jews or Muslims.
What do you think?
H/t FOTM’s MomOfIV~Éowyn

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I used to take Geller’s side in a number of her battles in years gone by—especially after seeing her being mistreated by other people in the media. But her tactic here is typical of pro-Israel interests—that of problem-reaction-solution. (The Hegelian Dialectic). I don’t like being manipulated, regardless of who’s doing it. Although the judge’s reasoning may seem to make sense, it doesn’t: Whatever happened to “crying fire in a crowded theater?” But Geller is not the only one playing these games. Two days ago, Baltimore Mayor Rawlings said she decided to give “protesters space to destroy.” If you want to… Read more »

Ditto Steven. I too think there must be a better way for Gellar to get her message across. Lowering yourself to the level of your enemy just makes you look as sleezy as them; AND gives the gov’t another excuse to curtail more freedoms.

I disagree, though politely! Too long have we held ourselves above fighting dirty, and too long we have been walked on. If the fight is worth having, win. We will be thought of no less than we already are.
Remember, first thing you will learn in a self defense class (after knowing when to use it) are the spots to hit. Groin, eyes, throat. If the fight is worth it, fight to win.

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4 years ago

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TrailDust

I applaud her courage, but am also concerned that it might be a bit reckless. I do not need anyone to tell me to be prepared and ready to answer violence with violence.
In her favor, she is aware that Americans are living in a dream world and need to wake up to the imminent threat of islam.
Not in her favor is the possibility that she could accidentally provoke violence against innocent people (Jews, muslims, Christians or others).
Were it up to me, I would NEVER run this ad, due to the risk of unexpected consequences.

Which is exactly the point, otherwise why fight for the importance of the ad?

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4 years ago

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blake

everyone knows that muslims are violent savages and attack everyone, especially jews and christians. the western world needs to wake up to the threat of moderate islam.

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4 years ago

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blake

“Were it up to me, I would NEVER run this ad, due to the risk of unexpected consequences.”
so let me guess, it was also Charlie Hebdo’s fault that muslims shot them for drawing pictures, right? freedom of speech is gone if you feel this way.

AFDI’s ad is very disingenuous, islam’s jihad is against anyone who doesn’t follow their allah and that includes jews, but, if my understanding is correct, islam kills far more Christians than jews…worldwide. So, this ‘kill the jews’ “advertisement” is provoking sympathy for jews/israel and creating hostilities towards islam, but ignoring the greater victims…Christians.

Well said, MomOfIV. Thus far, the psychopaths of Islamic State (ISIS) have been torturing and slaughtering Christians and fellow Muslims. Haven’t seen news of their victimizing Jews. Meanwhile, not a peep from Israel about the worldwide slaughter of Christians. Must be Christians are just not a designated victim group. /sarc

Doc, I also believe that ISIS knows full well that an assault on jews, mainly those that reside in Isreal, will result in massive, justified retaliation. Unlike when James Foley was beheaded in front of the world, (this white house administration still won’t use islam, terror, war, or jihad in the same sentence. In fact, it is our fault because of the crusades) Isreal would respond much like Jordan, but with more vigor.

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4 years ago

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Northerngirl

My feelings on this are that it’s tempting madmen and almost legitimizing their insanity. I know Geller’s intent was not that but I think this should have been given more thought. IMHO.

Definitely not, but perhaps one of the unintended consequences is more people like us discussing it. At the very least, it raises eyebrows and attention to… something. An effective trick.

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4 years ago

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Seumas

Personally it looks to me like geller is a zealot, running ads with intent to provoke criminal actions while also bragging about what she can get away with, brazenly declaring who pulls the purse strings. zupremacists that were of the same character were also responsible for judaic suffering in germany during the war, they threw their “lesser brethren” to the very monster they created for the purpose of land grabbing. This is no different, brazen and arrogant, prideful and snide, she is trying to get other people harmed (emotionally so, I would guess she wouldn’t care if the judaics or… Read more »

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4 years ago

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Lana

First as regards the above comments about Isis and Israel. Hasn’t anyone seen all the news stories of ISIS fighters being treated in Israeli hospitals ? And this headline from a few days ago. Al Baghdadi dies in an Israeli hospital. https://www.veteranstoday.com/2015/04/27/isis-leader-al-baghdadi-dies-in-israeli-hospital/ WHAT ??!! Seems it should be pretty clear to most that ISIS is there because it is being funded and supported by Western intelligence and Mossad to deliberately destabilize the region on target with the Yinon Plan. https://therearenosunglasses.wordpress.com/2015/01/16/isis-is-not-blowback-from-western-foreign-policy-it-is-western-foreign-policy/ Seumas , Dr. Eowyn you both make valid points. Is this another incidence of certain Jews throwing their lesser brethren… Read more »

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4 years ago

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Dave

I think Pamela has lost her f’ing mind.
-Dave

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4 years ago

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joandarc

Thank you Dr. Eowyn for this important post. Life, which comes from God, is simply too precious and significant to be toyed with through an ad or any other means of communication, whether it involves Jews, Christians, Muslims, et al.